Number of Rak`aat
The `Eed prayer consists of two Rak`aat (full prayer units). `Umar ()
reported:

"The travelers' prayer is two Rak`aat; the Adha prayer is two Rak`aat;
the Fitr prayer is two Rak`aat; and the Jumu`ah prayer is two Rak`aat;
this is their full length as came upon the tongue of Muhammad ."1

Beginning It

Like any other deed in Islaam, the prayer must be preceded with the
true intention. The intention should be present in the heart before
starting the prayer.

Like any other prayer, the first rak`ah (one prayer unit) must be
started with Takbeer ul-ihraam2; this is followed by the opening
supplication.

Additional Takbeers

The opening supplication is followed by seven Takbeers in the first
rak`ah. Likewise, the Takbeer when rising to the second rak`ah is followed
by five more Takbeers. `Aa'ishah () said:

"Allaah's Messenger would say Takbeer in both Fitr and Adha: seven
in the first, and five in the second - other than the two Takbeers of
rukuu` (bowing)."3

Imaam al-Baghawee commented:

"This is the opinion of most of the people of knowledge among the
Companions and those after them: to say, before reciting Qur'aan, in the
first rak`ah of the `Eed prayer, seven Takbeers other than the opening
Takbeer, and in the second, five Takbeers other than the Takbeer of
rising. This has been reported from Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Alee , and others."
4

The Sunnah is to say the Takbeers before the recitation, as in the
hadeeth of `Amr Bin Shu`ayb, from his father, from his grandfather (Ibn
`Umar ), who said:

"In the `Eed prayer, Allaah's Messenger said seven Takbeers in the
first rak`ah, recited (Qur'aan), said the Takbeer and bowed, prostrated
himself; then he stood, said five Takbeers, recited, said Takbeer, bowed,
and prostrated."5

There are no authentic reports describing whether or not the Prophet
raised his hands with these additional Takbeers. For this reason,
al-Albaanee states:

"The reports from `Umar and his son do not make this a
sunnah. Especially when we know that these reports are not authentic. As
for the one from `Umar, it is recorded by al-Bayhaqee with a weak
chain. As for his son's, I have not been able to locate it now."7

However, based on various general hadeeths that report the raising of the
hands with Takbeer in the regular prayers, some scholars8 allow raising
the hands with these additional Takbeers. In this regard, Ibn ul-Qayyim
said:

"Ibn `Umar, who is known to adhere closely to the Sunnah, used to raise
his hands with every one of the Takbeers."9

And al-Albaanee commented on a similar issue:

"One may raise his hands if he believes that Ibn `Umar would not do this
without an approval from the Prophet ."10

There are no authentic reports indicating that the people would raise
their voice with Takbeer when praying behind the imaam. The Sunnah is to
say all thikr secretly, except in specific cases where the contrary was
confirmed. This is enforced further in situations where raising the voice
would disturb other people's prayer. Therefore, it is not permissible for
anyone other than the imaam to raise the voice with Takbeer in the prayer.

There is no thikr (mention of Allaah (SWT)) confirmed from the Prophet
between the `Eed Takbeers. But it is reported that Ibn Mas`ood (^u)
said:

"Between every two Takbeers is a praise of Allaah and a salaah upon the Prophet ."11

Ibn ul-Qayyim (r) said:

"The Prophet used to remain silent between every two Takbeers, and
nothing is reported from him regarding thikr between them."12

The Takbeer is a sunnah (recommended act). Leaving it, whether
intentionally or forgetfully, does not invalidate the prayer. There is no
difference of opinion on this among the scholars13. However, there is no
doubt that anyone who neglects it intentionally would be violating the
sunnah of the Prophet .

This is followed by reciting al-Faatihah, which is a required pillar
in every rak`ah of every prayer.

This is followed by reciting Soorat Qaaf (50) in the first rak`at, and
Soorat ul-Qamar (54) in the second.16
Alternatively, one may recite: Surat ul-A`laa (87) in the first, and Soorat ul-Ghaasheeyah (88) in the second.17
Ibn ul-Qayyim (r) said:

"Both of these have been authentically reported from the action of the Prophet . Nothing else is authentic."18

There is surely wisdom in reciting these particular soorahs in Eed. Some
of this has been discussed by scholars like an-Nawawee19 and
ash-Shawkaanee20.

The Remainder Of The Prayer
The remainder of the `Eed prayer is performed in the same manner as any
other prayer, without any difference21.
Missing The `Eed Prayer
If one misses the `Eed prayer in Jamaa`ah, he must pray two Rak`aat. Imaam
al-Bukhaaree (r) headed a section as, "Section: One Who Misses the `Eed
Prayer Should Pray Two Rak`aat." And he added that `Ataa' (r) said:

"This is the opinion of ash-Shaafi`ee - that if one misses the prayer
with the imaam, he should pray two Rak`aat in order to at least attain the
virtue of performing the `Eed prayer, despite the fact that he missed the
virtue of praying it in Jamaa`ah with the imaam.
As for the Hanafees, there is no make-up for the `Eed prayer. If one misses it with the imaam, he has totally missed it."24

Imaam Maalik (r) said:

"In my opinion, anyone who prays the `Eed prayer individually, whether
man or woman, should say seven Takbeers in the first rak`ah, before
recitation, and five in the second, before recitation."25

And Ibn Qudaamah (r) said:

"The one who comes late to the `Eed prayer should perform what he missed
according to the way that he missed it. This is true for any prayer."26

Ahmad, an-Nasaa`ee, at-Tahaawee in Sharu Ma`aanee 'l-Aathaar, and al-Bayhaqee with an authentic chain of narrators.
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The Takbeer of prohibition - thus named because it marks the beginning of the prayer, making it prohibited to do any action not related to prayer.
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Abu Daawood, Amad, Ibn Maajah, and al-Bayhaqee with an authentic chain of narrators.
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